The Best Way to Feed a Baby Essay

For years there have been arguments about which is the best way to feed a baby. Many women going through their pregnancy struggling with what decision is right for them because ultimately it is a behavior that is natural to our species and those like us. There are two options to choose from when deciding how to feed an infant after birth. The first is breastfeeding either by bottle or breast and the second is formula feeding a baby. This paper will be a review of the two options and the comparison of the two, the politics involved, and finally with the arguments that are involved on both sides.
Breastfeeding is the natural process of a woman feeding a child from her breast. Other names for this process are Nursing or Suckling. The American Academy of Physicians make the following policy statement on breastfeeding: “Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for both mothers and their children. Breast milk offers medical and psychological benefits not available from human milk substitutes (Breastfeeding (Policy Statement), 2014)” Feeding a child from the breast of a mother is a natural phenomenon that many mammals like humans do to provide for their young. Before the scientific technology of formula came about, the breast was the only way to feed an infant right after birth.
The first liquid that is produced by the breast after birthing the baby is colostrum. This is a yellow substance that is made during the pregnancy and is rich in nutrients and antibodies that is said to protect the baby. This colostrum is how the baby is fed for approximately three to five days and will provide enough nutrients that the baby needs. After this time period, is when the letdown occurs and the actual milk will arrive and the breast will be ready...

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...nitive differences at the select age groups (Belfield & Kelly, 2010). The downside to breastfeeding is the time it takes, societies negative views of public breastfeeding and the effort that is sometimes takes for mothers. There are also positive sides to formula feeding that include convenience, more effortless,
In the United States specifically today, breastfeeding is becoming more common than it has been in the past because of the awareness of the health benefits, yet many women still choose formula feeding because of personal beliefs, personal situations or hardships for the mother or child. 75% of women breast feed their child for some length of time in its life (AAP Reaffirms Breastfeeding Guidelines, 2012). Regardless of the benefits of it, there will most likely always be a choice with scientific research and with the advancement of technology on formula.

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